Elder W. W. Steward reports the baptism of five persons at Myers Falls, Wash.
Elder H. W. Decker reports the organization of a church of nineteen members at San Antonio, Texas.
The work at Sioux Falls, S. Dakota, under the direction of Elder L. Warren, is very encouraging. Within a month forty-four united with the church.
As a result of meetings held in Stevensville, Or., Elder C. N. Martin reports that ten adults have taken their stand for the truth, and a Sabbath school has been organized.
The Iowa Sabbath School Association has elected officers for the coming year as follows: President, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer; Vice President, Elder C. A. Washburn; Secretary, Jessie Livingston.
Elder Wm. Covert is now president of Wisconsin Conference, in place of Elder O. A. Johnson, who has been relieved in order to give his time to the growing work among the Scandinavians.
In accordance with the recommendation of the General Conference Committee, Elders J. A. Holbrook, formerly of Texas, and J. B. Beckner, formerly of Arkansas, have exchanged fields of labor.
The general camp-meeting in Upper Columbia conference began on the 18th inst., and is therefore now in progress. The General Conference is represented by Elder A. J. Breed, superintendent of district No. 6, and Elder A. T. Jones.
The local camp-meeting at Santa Rosa, Cal., is now in progress. It began on the 18th inst., to continue ten days. Elder M. C. Wilcox, editor of the Signs of the Times, is in attendance; also Elder M. H. Brown, secretary of the International Sabbath School Association.
Beginning with July, and continuing one year, the Sabbath school lessons will be on the general topic of the life of Christ, as portrayed in the Gospel according to John. This is a most excellent series of lessons, the questions—in the Senior, Junior, and Intermediate Departments—being directly upon the Scripture text, and calculated to impress the simple truth as expressed by the word itself. The best way, in fact, the only way, to learn the meaning of the word of God is to learn what it says.
The Boulder, Colo., Tribune, of June 12, being a special edition showing the resources of the city and county, gives a lengthy description and scenic illustration of the Colorado Sanitarium. Dr. O. G. Place is medical superintendent, assisted by an able corps of physicians and nurses. The board of directors are: A. R. Henry, Dr. O. G. Place, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, F. J. Hartman, and N. W. Kauble. Dr. Kellogg is the well-known physician of Battle Creek, Mich., and superintendent of the great Sanitarium in that city. The Colorado Sanitarium is conducted on the same general principles which have given national repute to the Battle Creek institution, and made it the largest in the world. Elder N. W. Kauble, of the board of directors, is president of the Colorado conference.
CHURCH SERVICES.
By Editor
This column of church services, especially in our larger towns and cities, will be printed from time to time as we have room, for the benefit of strangers who may read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, or brethren passing through. We have found it necessary to condense in the smallest possible space. The word “Sabbath” always refers to the seventh day of the week. These services consist of Sabbath school, preaching, Bible study, missionary, and prayer meetings. The first Sabbath service is, with one exception (Detroit), Sabbath school. The first address is that of the church, or place of meeting; the second, if given, that of the pastor or clerk.
Oakland.—Cor. 12th and Brush Sts. Public services: Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
San Francisco.—914 Laguna St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Thursday 7:30 P.M.
Los Angeles.—145 Carr St., bet. Main and Hill Sts. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:30 P.M., Thursday 7:30 P.M. Belle P. Baker, Clerk, 926 Hill St.
Sacramento.—G St. bet. 18th and 19th Sts. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
Pasadena.—Cor. of Summit Ave. and Mountain St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M. O. S. Smyth, Clerk, Box 261.
San Diego.—Cor. 18th and G Sts. Public services: Sunday 7 P.M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Mary J. Dimock, Clerk, National City, Box 136.
Stockton.—Cor. Miner Ave. and Stanislaus St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 2:30 P.M. H. S. Guilford, Elder.
Alameda.—Foresters’ Hall, cor. Santa Clara Ave. and Park Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. and 2:45 P.M. H. F. Courter, Elder.
East Portland, Or.—Cor. 11th and East Everett Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M. and 7 P.M., Wednesday 7 P.M.
Tacoma, Wash.—2917 S. K St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 6 and 7:30 P.M. Arthur Lister, Clerk.
Washington, D. C.—On 8th bet. F and G Sts., N. E. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Sunday 6 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
Brooklyn, N. Y.—Wurzler’s Hall, 315 Washington St. near city post office. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M.
Boston, Mass.—United Fellowship Hall, 1371 Washington St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. George B. Wheeler, Pastor.
Worcester, Mass.—118 Austin St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. F. C. Bee, Clerk, No. 6 Furnace St.
Providence, R. I.—Library Hall, room 6 Olneyville Square. Public services: Sabbath 1:30 and 3 P.M., Friday 7:30 P.M. Wm. H. Warfield, Clerk, 36 Bush St., Providence.
Hartford, Conn.—Hall at 302 Asylum St. Sabbath 2 and 3 P.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. O. M. Hatch, Clerk.
Philadelphia, Penn.—Hall, 1722 N. Broad St. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11:30 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. E. A. Merrill, Pastor, 1737 Edgely St., north of Diamond.
Baltimore, Md.—Bowen’s Hall, 1718 Frederick Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Sunday and Friday 7:45 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. John H. Hunt, Clerk.
Cleveland, Ohio.—249 Cedar Ave., bet. Sterling and Hayward. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. (sun time). Sunday 7:30 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. H. S. Kaysh, Pastor.
Louisville, Ky.—Markers’ Hall, cor. 17th and Main Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. J. W. Collie, Pastor, 2431 West Broadway.
Detroit, Mich.—424 Trumbull Ave., bet. Perry and Bagg Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. H. M. Kenyon, Pastor.
Chicago, Ill.—On 46th St. bet. Michigan and Wabash Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A.M. and 3 P.M., Tuesday and Wednesday 7 P.M.
St. Paul, Minn.—On Waconta bet. 8th and 9th. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. H. F. Phelps, Pastor, 470 Martin St.
St. Louis, Mo.—2955 Sheridan Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M., Wednesday 7:45 P.M. Mary S. Yener, Clerk.
Kansas City, Mo.—Cor. 12th and Woodland Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:45 P.M.
St. Joseph, Mo.—Cor. 15th and Locust Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Mrs. Harriet W. Tabbert, Clerk.
Omaha, Neb.—Cor. 18th and Cumming Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10:15 and 11 A.M., Sunday 3 P.M. J. H. Rogers, Pastor, cor. 27th and Steward Sts.
Salt Lake City, Utah.—Room No. 30 East 4th S. St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:45 P.M., Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:45 P.M. J. M. Willoughby, Pastor, Water St., Waterloo, Salt Lake City.
New Orleans, La.—Pythian Hall, cor. 7th and Magazine Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M. J. E. Evans, Pastor, 1027 Delachaise St.
Jersey City, N. J.—Public services at church, 27 Oak St., Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M.; at hall, 242 Hancock Ave., Sabbath 2:30 and 3:30, Sunday 7:45 P.M. both places. Amos Mitchell, Elder.
Helena, Mont.—At room 8, Denver Block. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. C. T. Shaffer, Leader, 818 Breckenridge St.
Toledo, O.—11th St. Christian Church, bet. Jefferson and Madison Sts., near center of city. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7 P.M., at Mission parlors, 1211 Collingwood Ave. E. J. Van Horn, Pastor.
Lynn, Mass.—Lee Hall. Public services: Sabbath 1:30 and 3 P.M.; Tuesday and Friday, 7:30 P.M. A. B. Jernegan, Elder. A. B. Felton, Clerk, 35 Union St.
GREEK CHURCH PRESTIGE IN TURKEY.
Of the nominally Christian churches in Turkey it is claimed that the Orthodox Greek is the most highly favored. In support of this claim a correspondent of the Missionary Review, after stating that “any publication of articles of a nature to mold religious susceptibilities, is forbidden by law,” quotes the following from an orthodox paper published in Constantinople, which must have been allowed by the government censor:—
“O ye miserable Protestants, who know not what ye do! Your house is left unto you desolate, like that of the enemies of God who slew the Lord Jesus Christ. O ye nations, understand and be overthrown; for God is with us! The orthodox church at Fatsu, having heard of the plan adopted by us at Ordu, also made petition to the government for the closing of the schools and the services of worship which have been peacefully conducted there by the Protestants, and they easily succeeded. Thus under this new victory of our church, which in five centuries has vanquished and brought to shame, without gun and without knife, such and many greater enemies, the Protestants as a recompense to their wickedness are standing in our presence covered with shame.
“O ye orthodox! stand manfully and gather up your strength. Fear not; for while God is with you no one can stand against you. While God is our Shepherd, what wolf shall we fear? Thus miserable sinners are destroyed and the faithful are rejoiced.
“This work has been carried on and brought to a successful issue by the energy of our priest Paes Christo alone.”
POSITION WANTED.
A young man who wishes to observe the Sabbath, desires a place with some Seventh-day Adventist. He is a harness maker, and can do almost anything in the line of common labor.
Refers to A. B. Coffey, assistant editor Pacific Educational Journal.
Address, J. J. Halford, Yuba City, Cal.
NOTICE
By Elder H. A. St. John
My post-office address, until further notice, is St. Helena, Napa County, California (Sanitarium).
ELDER H. A. ST. JOHN.
For Sale
By H. E. Gardner
For Sale.—A new 12-room house, finely finished in oak, with double cellar and large storeroom, both cistern and city water, lighted by electricity, located in Battle Creek, Mich., one block from Tabernacle and Review and Herald Publishing House, one block from Sanitarium and College, and near street-car line.
On account of change of residence owner desires to sell the above, or to exchange for improved California property. Correspondence solicited. Any fair offer will not be refused. Most of the furniture can go with the place if desired. For terms, inquire at the house, No. 239 Champion St., Battle Creek, Mich., or address, H. E. GARDNER, Fruitvale, Alameda Co., California.
Pitcairn Photos
Before the ship Pitcairn sailed on her last voyage, May 19, photographs of three different views were taken: A group of the missionaries, group of the crew; also a view of the vessel as she was departing. Size of photos, 5x8 in. Price 25c each. Address
F. J. BRAINERD,
Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD
By J. H. Waggoner
ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIS is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents.
Address. PACIFIC PRESS. Oakland, Cal.
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS
California Tourists Should Have a Copy of the Grand Book
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS.
It Pictures the World-Renowned Yo Semite Valley, the Big Tree Groves of California, the Glaciers, Gold Mines, and Caverns of this Wonderful Region. It is a COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE YO SEMITE VALLEY, Giving routes of travel, number of miles by rail and stage; describes points of interest en route; gives map of the Valley, and contains 160 Illustrations, 28 of which are Beautiful Full-Page Artotypes, and which portray the wonderful Cataracts, Mountains, and Precipices with all the REALITY OF A PHOTOGRAPH. Bound in five styles. Copy in cloth, embossed jet and gold, gold edges, sent postpaid, where we have no agent, for $3.50.
CHEAPER EDITION.
We have just issued a special TOURISTS' EDITION of this book, containing all the matter of the other edition, printed on thinner paper, without artotypes, bound in flexible cloth covers. Copies sent postpaid anywhere for $1.50.
Address PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Or 43 Bond St., New York. Oakland, Cal.
The Testimony of John the Baptist to Christ
“Study to show thyself approved unto God.”
Lesson II.—Sabbath, July 11, 1896.
The Testimony of John the Baptist to Christ.
19 And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? 22 And he answered, No. They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. 24 And they had been sent from the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water; in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethany beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is become before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing with water. 32 And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize with water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. 34 And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. John 1:19–34, R. V.
Questions.
What question was asked of John?
Who asked it? Who sent the questioners?
What reply did John make?
With what specific questions did they urge their inquiry? What reply did John make in each case?
In order to have some answer to carry back to Jerusalem what did they further ask?
What did John then declare himself to be?
To what sect did his questioners belong?
What did they question his right to do? Why?
With what did John say he baptized?
Whom did he say stood among them? Was his work earlier or later than that of John?
What estimate did John put upon his own unworthiness?
Where did these things happen?
Whom did John see the next day?
Under what figure did he speak of Christ and his work?
What testimony did he bear to his superiority?
What does he now say was the purpose of his baptizing?
What does he declare that he had seen?
Of what had this been declared to be the sign? Who told him?
As a result of seeing this sign what record did he bear?
Notes.
1. John’s work made a great stir (Mark 1:4, 5), and a general belief that it was time for the Messiah led to a spirit of inquiry concerning this man of the wilderness (Luke 3:15). The excitement became so great that even the Sanhedrin sent an official deputation to John, which asked him, “Who art thou?” In the dialogue which follows John makes a formal proclamation that the Messiah had come, and was indeed present among them, but unknown by every one except John himself. The literal basis of the figurative reply of John may be found in “the practice of eastern monarchs, who, whenever they entered upon an expedition or took a journey, especially through desert countries, sent harbingers before them to prepare all things for their passage, and pioneers to open the passes, to level the ways, and to remove all impediments.”
2. “The rabbis said, ‘Every office which a servant will do for his master a scholar should perform for his teacher, except loosing his sandal thong.’ But this exceptionally menial office the Baptist declares he was not worthy to perform for Jesus.”
3. Sacrificial offerings of animals could not avail (Heb. 10:4), but the death of Christ met every demand for all time (Heb. 9:15) and for the whole world (1 John 2:2). “When, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John had pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God, a new light was shed upon the Saviour’s mission.”
4. “In the throng gathered at the Jordan there were many who had been present at the baptism of Jesus, but the sign then given had been manifest to but few among them. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Eyes that had never been turned in faith to him that is invisible, beheld not the revelation of the glory of God, nor heard the voice from heaven. So it is now. Often the presence of Christ and of the ministering angels is manifest in the assemblies of the people, and yet there are many who know it not. They discern nothing unusual. But to some the Saviour’s presence is revealed.”
Suggestions for Further Study.
1. Carefully observe the leading thoughts in the teaching of John. The blood of the Lamb, and the baptism of the Spirit, were the two central truths of his creed and his preaching—Jesus the Lamb taking away sin, Jesus the Anointed baptizing with the Spirit.
2. Three names are given in this lesson for Christ: The Lamb of God, the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost, and the Son of God.
3. Note the new names introduced in this lesson: The Jews (Pharisees), Elias, Isaiah, and Israel. The new places: Jerusalem, and Bethabara (or Bethany, see R. V.).
4. Observe the humility of John in his estimate of Christ (verses 15, 27, and 30), and then read Christ’s estimate of John, in Luke 7:28.
5. Consider that the Spirit not only descended upon Christ, but that it abode upon him.
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
“Take heed unto thyself; and unto the doctrine;” “that thy profiting may appear to all.”
1. Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel; and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel.
4. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking, David can not come in hither.
7. Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.
8. And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10. And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.
11. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David an house.
12. And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
Golden Text: “David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.” 2 Sam. 5:10.
Note.—The various causes that led to making David king over all Israel are set forth in the second, third, and fourth chapters of 2 Samuel. Briefly, they are as follows: Ish-bosheth had no ability to unite the fragments of the kingdom, and the cause of religion was in a low state. He accused Abner of treachery, and this charge caused Abner to turn against him, and make overtures to David, who had always proved victorious in the lingering warfare between Judah and Israel. David immediately demanded the restoration to him of Michal, Saul’s daughter, his first wife. This was done, and he thereby gained a hold upon the northern people as an heir of Saul. And lastly, both Abner and Ish-bosheth were foully murdered, without wish or connivance of David, who repudiated the acts openly and indignantly. There was now left but one heir to Saul, the son of Jonathan, a lame lad, whom David afterward cared for. These were the political changes, but behind it all was the purpose of God to bring David to the throne. A parallel passage is 1 Chronicles 11, 12, and 14.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who came to David at Hebron? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How many and what reasons did they give for choosing David king? Verses 1, 2. Note 2. (3) How was the matter of his rulership established? Verse 3. (4) How old was David when he began to reign, and how long did his rule continue? Verse 4. (5) How was this rule divided? Verse 5. (6) Where did David and his men go? Verse 6. (7) What did the Jebusites say? Same verse. Note 3. (8) What success did David have in his undertaking? Verse 7. (9) How was the stronghold taken? Verse 8. Note 4. (10) Where did David dwell? What did he call the place? What improvements did he make? Verse 9. Note 5. (11) How did David prosper? Verse 10. (12) Who formed a trading alliance with him? Verse 11. (13) What did he perceive? Verse 12. Note 6.
NOTES.
1. Then came all the tribes.—They came by their elders (verse 3), representing, according to 1 Chron. 12:23–40, 339,600 warriors.
2. Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh, etc.—This was the beginning of reasons that they could now see, when it was evident that David was surely coming to the throne. He was a blood relation of the people, and of the royal line by marriage. Thou wast he that leddest out.—His generalship, skill, wisdom, forbearance, courage, knowledge of men, and trust in God were all well known and recognized. The Lord said to thee.—They knew he was divinely appointed. Thou shalt feed my people, literally, thou shalt shepherd my people; and David, from experience, knew the true meaning of this.
3. The Jebusites.—At that time Jerusalem was called Jebus. Political, civil, and military considerations pointed to Jerusalem as the most suitable capital for the united kingdom. Its position was just within the borders of Judah, but close to the border of the northern kingdom; hence the location would conciliate all parties, and prove a bond of union. As a military post it was unrivaled, standing on a rocky plateau surrounded on three sides by deep ravines, forming a natural fortress. But the fortress of Mount Zion, the highest point, was held by the Jebusites, who thus controlled the city, while other portions were inhabited by Jews and Canaanites in common. At that time the valleys were deeper than at present, and the lame and blind were commonly spoken of as sufficient to defend the heights. However, this choice of a capital was made by David under divine direction. See Deut. 12:5–21; 1 Kings 11:36.
4. Whosoever getteth up to the gutter.—This was the water course, and probably the point least defended. Joab and a few men were the first to make the ascent. See 1 Chron. 11:6.
5. Built round about.—He probably completed the defenses of the city on its exposed side, the north.
6. David perceived, etc.—The point to be noted is that David recognized the Lord’s hand in all his prosperity, and that he was not raised to the throne for his own good or glory, but for “his people Israel’s sake.” His humility and meekness made him great. This is not usually the attitude of those in power, but it will be noted that from a youth up, when occupying the most humble positions, David maintained this relation with God. Faithfulness wherever the Lord places one is the true secret of success.
